Plant growth is supported by millions of tiny soil microbes competing and cooperating with each other as they perform ...

New research shows that when it comes to colonizing plants, microorganisms from seeds have more staying power than microorganisms from the soil. "Ever since I started working on plant microbiomes, ...

As the planet has warmed, scientists have long been concerned about the potential for harmful greenhouse gasses to seep out of thawing Arctic permafrost. Recent estimates suggest that by 2100 the ...

Prolonged droughts followed by sudden bursts of rainfall -- how do desert soil bacteria manage to survive such harsh conditions? This long-debated question has now been answered by microbiologists.

Researchers discovered that microbes respire three times as much CO2 from lignin carbons compared to cellulose carbons. When soil microbes eat plant matter, the digested food follows one of two ...

Place a cup of soil into a jar, top it off with water, and shake vigorously. Allowing the mixture to settle entirely, you’ll ...

Researchers analyzed 59 years of data to show that adding bacteria to desert sand can rapidly create new soil.

This guide will help you determine whether soil is of good quality and how to read the warning signs of bad soils.

You can sabotage an entire spring garden before you plant a single seed. The culprit does not look dramatic. It does not arrive with pests or disease. It hums in your garage, promises fluffy soil, and ...